News

Even the walls move

When Shamil and Romina Chandaria built their 13,300sq ft family home in northwest London in 2003, they opted for what Shamil, 41, describes as a "Savile Row suit" of smart technology to be built into its very fabric.

The bespoke home network system cost more than £100,000, and was designed by SMC, a London-based smart technology installer (020 7819 1700, www.smc-uk.com), which worked with the couple's architects, Munkenbeck and Marshall.

The home's computer nerve centre and amplifiers are hidden under the stairs; if - and it has never happened - the system crashed, they would simply press the re-set button.

A Linn Knekt multi-room audio system delivers music (stored on a hard drive) and radio to every room; films and television (including digital and satellite) are also available everywhere.

A Lutron Homeworks system runs lighting, the pool cover, spa jets and garden water features. It also controls a sliding glass barrier,